8 IT Hiring Trends You Can't Ignore

Drill down on the latest trends in the IT labor market for job seekers and employers and get expert advice from an IT recruiter.

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LinkedIn: 10 Important Changes

The job market, like any market, is not a static beast. It's subject to trends, disruptions, and ups and downs like any other marketplace. You can't manage your current job search -- or your career in general -- with the exact same strategies you used, say, five years ago.

That's especially true for IT pros; the technologies and skills necessary to succeed are constantly evolving, perhaps more so than in most industries. So what should you be thinking about now? We asked IT recruiter Paul DeBettignies, head of Minnesota Headhunter, for his take on some of the top hiring trends on both sides of the interview table.

For Jobseekers…

1. Social Media Profiles Aren't A Fad.

The use of social sites like LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook by recruiters isn't new. But it has intensified of late, acccording to DeBettignies, as skilled IT talent has become tougher to find. Yes, updated social profiles will lead to more unsolicited -- and sometimes unwanted -- interest from recruiters and hiring managers. But it will help cut down on irrelevant inquiries, too.

"IT pros could help themselves if their LinkedIn profiles are complete and their Twitter bio says, "Minneapolis, MN" and "Software Engineer" or ".Net Developer," DeBettignies said by way of example. "While this will may lead to more inquiries from recruiters it also may weed out the unnecessary ones."

2. Resumes: Not Going Away, But No Longer The Calling Card.

The age-old resume hasn't gone bye-bye, according to DeBettignies, but it's taking a back seat to newer methods of introducing yourself to potential employers. He's observed this shift both in working with his own clients and at other tech companies, too.

"A resume is not needed for an initial inquiry," DeBettignies said. "Send me a summary, a link to a portfolio or well-written LinkedIn profile. GitHub or other repositories [are acceptable], too. This allows me to get to know a candidate better, faster than a traditional resume."

That said, you'll still need a current, polished resume in many hiring situations. "At some point I would like to see that, too," DeBettignies said. "I don’t think the resume is going or should go away. It is a necessary evil."

3. Look Within First.

If you're downright miserable in your current position, or perhaps working for a company careening toward bankruptcy, your job-hunting strategy might aptly be summed up as: "Anywhere but here." But the best opportunity might be right in front of you, or at least down the hall. That's because more tech employers are finding strong returns by investing in their own people in lieu of external talent searches, according to DeBettiginies.

This is a good list for both job seekers and talent seekers, with the last few points being aimed at prospective employers. I particularly like the last points on creating talent pools and actively recruiting. That's good, take-action advice that beats wringing your hands about talent gaps.